Loading Page...

Does ADHD disqualify you from being a pilot?

Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots.



People Also Ask

Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots. Unfortunately, pilots sometimes fail to disclose ADHD to their Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

MORE DETAILS

The FAA's regulations require airline pilots to undergo a medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) every six months to five years, depending on the type of flying they do and their age. Aviation Medical Examiners are trained to determine the pilot's mental health and fitness to fly.

MORE DETAILS

Some of the commonly-prescribed medications that individuals take for ADHD are Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, Strattera, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine. All these medications are disqualifying for medical certification purposes!

MORE DETAILS

It's best for any type of travel to keep the medication in the original pharmacy bottles with the pharmacy label on them. Since many medications used to treat ADHD are controlled medications, some travelers feel better if they carry a letter from their child's doctor indicating why the medication is prescribed.

MORE DETAILS

In 2002 he was diagnosed with ADHD. He believes talking about ADHD openly is a way to help others. Forbes spoke with David Neeleman about founding several airlines, getting an ADHD diagnosis, and why he values happiness over money.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, airplane pilots can wear glasses. (And many do.) If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you can still become a commercial, private, or military pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the military have certain minimum standards for prospective pilots.

MORE DETAILS

How hard is a pilots life? Airline operations are nearly 24/7, 365-day-per-year operations. This means many weekends, holidays, early morning starts, and late-night finishes. Pilots lack control over these schedules, too, and we – at least at most airlines – operate on a schedule one month at a time.

MORE DETAILS